Readers become better readers by reading. However, it can be a task to motivate a nonreader to keep reading in order to become a better reader. What can you do?

The ultimate goal is that a student becomes a lifelong learner. In the area of reading, this means a student can successfully read and understand all genres of print-- from signs and information in their environment, fictional and pleasure reading, and information and vocational texts.


Here are some ways you can engage a student to be motivated to read:


1. Find personal reasons for the student to engage in the story.
One of the goals of reading is constructing meaning. If you help a student select a book that will match his or her interest, a student is
more likely to persist in reading the text.


2. Encourage students to find success in reading to build their confidence.
Sometimes this means reading a newspaper, magazine, or a book on a lower grade level in order for the student to feel success at
reading and comprehending a text.

3. Teach reading strategies to your students.
Students who are armed with different strategies to help them think about what they read and what to do if they don't understand what
they read are going to get less frustrated and not give up when encountering more difficult passages.


Article on motivating students to read
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image by Laura Candler